Here is a starting point reference:
Control Engineering Practice
Volume 7, Issue 2, February 1999, Pages 173-182
Lena Mårtensson
Are operators and pilots in control of complex systems?
Abstract
The main theme of the paper is the opportunities that are available for the operator/pilot to be in control of a complex system. Results of empirical studies indicate that the development of competence in operators is neglected in many cases, creating difficulties for operators who are required to solve problems in disturbances and in emergency situations. Further, the participation of the end-users in the design of a new system is rarely considered, be it an industrial system or an aviation system. Examples from highly automated systems in industry will be given, as well as an analysis of an aircraft accident.
Author Keywords: Human requirements; work organization; flexible manufacturing systems; aircraft operation
Index Terms: Large scale systems; Aviators; Aviation; Aircraft accidents; Flexible manufacturing systems; Automation; Human requirements; Work organization; Aircraft operation
And here is a description of an experiment (note that the subjects were not pilots):
http://jeremyjankowski.com/pdf/automation.pdf